On Friday, Kim Jong Un was treated to a thunderous welcoming ceremony in Pyongyang. The occasion celebrated the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People’s Army that had recently returned from its overseas deployment to Russia. The regiment saw vigorous combat doing a wide variety of combat and engineering roles in the Kursk Oblast area. This was against the backdrop of Moscow’s continuing war with Ukraine.
The ceremony celebrated the conclusion of this mission’s 120-day journey, which started in early August. Kim Jong Un was apparently very appreciative of the regiment’s efforts. He mentioned in particular their crucial contribution to demining efforts in the Kursk region. He applauded the troops for their “heroic” and “mass heroism” behavior during their deployment.
A notable moment during the ceremony occurred when Kim Jong Un embraced a soldier seated in a wheelchair, a gesture that underscored the emotional weight of the event. Fighting once again intensified, and state media later mourned the tragic loss of nine soldiers from the regiment. Kim poignantly characterized this tragic incident as “heartrending.” He took a moment to memorialize the lost soldiers. This act of compassion had proved they were heroes who’d paid the highest price for their country.
In honor of their courageous service, the regiment was awarded the Order of Freedom and Independence. Kim Jong Un described the soldiers’ conduct on display as showing “unbreakable loyalty” to the party and the state. In August he held a roundtable with police officers currently conducting operations overseas. This meeting makes clear how critical the deployment of this unit is.
State media depicted Kim draping national flags over coffins, which appeared to be part of the repatriation process for soldiers killed alongside Russian forces. This act demonstrated even more the seriousness of what was going on, and the dedication and sacrifice of the troops.
The ceremony was a homecoming, accompanied by emotional cheers for the regiment. Yet at the same time, it was an appropriate, solemn reminder of the deadly and bloody conflict that still is going on today. Throughout his speech and accompanying gestures, Kim emphasized both pride in military achievements and sorrow over the losses incurred during their operation.
